2018 Champagne Alfred Tritant Millesime Brut 750 ml

Decanter did not mince words in its praise for Champagne’s 2018 season: 

“The 2018 vintage is truly exceptional for Champagne. Special mention goes to the Pinot Noir, which ripened perfectly, but the Chardonnay is also outstanding. Initial results are wines that are dense yet fresh and should be long lasting.”

Alfred Tritant’s blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay comes solely from two of the most prestigious Grand Crus in Champagne—Bouzy and Ambonnay. Bold intensity is the signature of these terroirs, and Krug, Bollinger, and Dom Pérignon all tap these villages to add power to their cuvées.

Even by the standards of the small growers we love working with, Tritant is tiny, and they practically redefine “hands on.” They farm just over six acres, making barely 2,000 cases of wine across ALL of their bottlings. Their Millesime, made only in the best years and drawn from their most privileged lots, represents a small fraction of their production.

Ever since we started importing Tritant, we’ve been flabbergasted at the value the vintage bottlings deliver. Wine Access members have been too, bestowing the Millesime with a stunning rating—and the word has certainly gotten out. We couldn’t say no when Saison—the MICHELIN-starred temple of gastronomy in San Francisco—requested a small allotment of Tritant wines to put on their wine list.

Before the 1930s, Tritant sold all their grapes to merchants and négociants. In 1930, they started bottling their own Champagne while continuing to supply Mumm, and in 1950, they started keeping all their spectacular fruit for their own wines. Now, they typically sell most of it at their cellar door.